The reason we can't all be on the same page when it comes to education
is that we are not all on the same page when it comes to education.
Teachers have their interests and points-of-view, politicians have
their interests and points-of-view, the business community has its
interests and points-of-view, other intrerest groups of all kinds have
their points-of-view, parents and kids have their interests and
points-of-view, and, last but not least, the taxpayers have their
interests and points-of-view. And people are not shy about advocating
for their interests and points-of-view. This is what makes America
wonderful.

Columbus, Ohio -- Nearly 4,000 members of the Ohio Education
Association
responded in a member survey in a striking consensus that new
educational policies in the Buckeye State have done more harm than
good,
while Ohio political leaders have continued to neglect severe funding
problems of Ohio public schools.

OEA members from across the political spectrum -- conservatives,
liberals, Democrats, Republicans and independents -- said they aren't
optimistic anyone is taking action to solve Ohio's school funding
problems.

"This is a striking consensus across the political and ideological
landscape. It reveals that teachers on the front lines feel ignored on
many issues directly affecting the success of their students," said OEA
President Gary L. Allen.

"Our teachers told us that new federal and state education initiatives
-- like No Child Left Behind, tuition vouchers and some aspects of
high-stakes testing -- may well have done more harm than good," Allen
said. "We need to listen to their real-world experience."

Allen discussed the highlights of the Member Survey:

- Only 5% of respondents feel Ohio's school funding system gives every
school district equal resources for a quality education for all
students.
- 87% indicated Ohio's system of funding education is fundamentally
flawed.
- Two-thirds feel their school districts are under-funded, and 93% feel
Ohio schools overall are under-funded.
- 89% feel the state legislature has failed to solve the state's
education funding crisis.
- 88% feel the state legislature deserves a D or an F for its support of
a quality education for every Ohio student. (56% give the legislature
an F.) The grades were consistent across all political outlooks.
- Between 85% and 95% of those surveyed feel initiatives like No Child
Left Behind, tuition vouchers and some aspects of high-stakes testing
have done more harm than good.
- An overwhelming majority rejected the use of taxpayer funds for
privately run charter schools, as well as charter claims of academic
performance.